Jim Strasman

Principal, B.Arch. O.A.A., A.A.A., F.R.A.I.C, R.C.A

Jim Strasman is the founding principal in Strasman Architects Inc. and oversees all the firm’s architectural and interior design activities. Jim has over 50 years experience on a variety of projects throughout Canada and Europe and has a proven record of delivering projects on time and on budget. Jim is the primary client contact and responsible for the on-going administration, programming, planning approvals, and co-ordination for the firm’s projects.

Shawn Strasman

Principal, B.Arch, OAA, A.A.A., MRAIC

With over 21 years in the design and construction industry, Shawn’s experience includes the design-build delivery of five completed bus transit facilities for GO Transit in the last 5 years, with a sixth facility under construction. In addition, he was the lead architect for Grand River Transit Strasburg Road Facility Expansion and was involved in the programming and conceptual design for five Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle (LFLRV), Maintenance Facilities for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Shawn’s current project experience include the Calgary Spring Gardens Bus Facility Expansion, and the $250 million TTC Ashbridges Bay LFLRV Maintenance and Storage Facility.

He has extensive experience in managing multi-disciplinary design teams, master planning, functional design and optimization, program optimization, code verification and permitting, quality control and assessment, sequential tendering and value engineering. He has gained special expertise in designing multi-phased projects.

Richard Shaw

Principal, B.A., B. Arch., OAA, MRAIC

Richard Shaw specializes in delivering complex building types with institutional and private client groups. He currently leads the firm’s health care design activities for various hospitals and senior’s housing. Richard brings to the team an ability to recognize, develop and resolve creative design solutions, through engaging clients and end users in collaborative design processes. This ability stems from his experience garnered as a key team member on numerous challenging large and small scale projects combined with his continuing ambition to create inspiring and highly liveable environments.

Richard continues to develop his expertise in the design and delivery of complex building types, serving as project architect for several projects including the Regional Birthing and Newborn Centre at Scarborough Centenary Hospital and the Ajax Pickering Hospital Redevelopment.

Liz Strasman

Principal, Project Designer, B. Arch., Dipl. Tech

Liz is currently leading the design of a mixed-used development in Peterborough after recently completing the new student residences at the Lakehead University Orillia campus, which was designed to LEED Platinum. She joined Strasman Architects Inc. in 2005 and is recognized for her sensitivity towards the urban environment through her contributions on several significant transit, residential, and master planning projects.

Prior to joining Strasman Architects Inc., Liz worked with Ramsay Worden Architects in Vancouver, British Columbia for nine years where she gained substantial experience in the master planning of residential communities. In addition to larger-scale projects, Liz has also crafted the skill to design environments that are sensitive at a personal scale.

Baback Amoozgar

Associate, B. Arch

Since joining Strasman Architects Inc. in early 2007, Baback Amoozgar has become a valuable and proactive member of the office. Baback has taken a leadership role in one of the office’s most significant large-scale transit projects in recent years, the TTC Ashbridges Bay LFLRV Maintenance Facility. Baback manages the office IT systems and oversees the office’s Microstation CADD deliverables. His familiarity with the Toronto Transit Commission’s CADD Standards has evolved from his early role as CADD Designer.

Simeon (Sim) Posen

OAA (Retired), B. Arch.

When Sim joined Strasman Architects Inc., he brought his extensive architectural experience. Simeon has managed and participated on multi-disciplinary teams to successfully deliver large scale projects for clients including TTC, GO Metrolinx, Rogers, University of Guelph, Verizon, City of Toronto and OPG (Ontario Power Generation). Sim has completed studies and assessments as well as renovations, refurbishments and the delivery of new buildings and additions.

Vello Voogjarv

OAA, B.Arch., MRAIC

Vello Voogjarv began his architectural career in 1981 with Sievenpiper Associates Inc., Architects and Planners. In his 35 years of experience, Vello has worked as both Project Architect and Project Manager for numerous projects. He has extensive experience in value management, client relationship and co-ordination as well as contract documentation and construction administration.

Vi Huynh

OAA, B.Arch.

Vi Huynh joined Strasman Architects Inc. in 2010 and has taken on an active role in all aspect of project delivery from the design process to focusing on project coordination with engineers and contractors and construction supervision for quality control. With more than 10 years of experience in the industry, Vi is a well-rounded construction supervisor capable of handling design and construction challenges with efficiency and professionalism. Vi has worked on multi-residential, institutional and assembly projects through out this career to date.

Cheryl Buckle

B.A., B.A.A, ARIDO, NCIDQ, IDC

Cheryl Buckle is a registered interior designer with a diverse range of experience with special expertise in the design of interior environments for transit and industrial facilities. Cheryl has recently completed the GRT Strasburg Road Facility Expansion where she was responsible for programming, interior design and contract administration. Her past experience includes the space planning and interior coordination of the renovations to Westminster College at the University of Western Ontario; the programming design and tender drawing coordination for the Stevenson Lawson Building renovation at the University of Western Ontario; interior design and coordination for GO Transit Facilities and for the programming and conceptual design of the TTC Light Rail Vehicle car houses and the interior design and building systems coordination for the Dominion Public Building retrofit at One Front Street in Toronto.

Arash Esghpour

B. Arch.

Arash Eshghpour joined Strasman Architects Inc. in 2002. Arash received his Master of Architecture from the University of Science and Technology School of Architecture in Tehran in 1996, and was granted a B.Arch. equivalency by the University of Toronto in 2002. Arash is recognized for his computer and graphic expertise and is responsible for all 3D modelling, renderings, animations and presentation graphics for the firm’s projects and proposals.

Bina Puri

Arch. Tech., Ryerson University

Bina has 18 years of architectural design and project management experience with commercial, industrial, institutional and residential opportunities. She has worked throughout the GTA and Ontario on a number of large scale private and public sector initiatives. Bina has developed projects from schematic design through to construction administration and coordinated projects across multi-disciplines and her clients have included TTC, Rogers and City of Toronto.

Carlos Jiménez

B.Arch, B. Tech. Arch.

Carlos studied at the University of Granada, Spain, receiving a Bachelor of Construction Architecture in 1996 and at the University of Seville, Spain, where in 2004 he received a Bachelor of Architecture. When Carlos joined SAI, he brought his, both Canadian and international, expertise with transit, single unit residential, multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial design.

David Shaw

Architectural Technician

David provides support in the fields of graphic design, 3D modelling, rendering, digital image creation and CAD drafting for the production of permit and tender drawing sets for the past 6 years, with experience in Healthcare, Residential and Transportation projects.

In addition to his experience developing construction documents and project implementation, David continues to expand his understanding and technical proficiency of both the TTC Standards and Mircrostation CAD platform as a member of the SAI team. In anticipation of assisting with associated project work in the office, this ongoing internal instruction process is designed to equip staff with proficiency to work in Microstation.

Hussain Patwary

B.Arch., B.Des. Industrial Design

Hussain’s Industrial Design degree from OCAD and his degree in Architectural Studies at Carleton University have helped him develop compelling story telling abilities and attain a natural ability to communicate graphically and three dimensionally through sketches, graphics and models. Hussain has a strong knowledge of both 3D & 2D Software packages.

Pooya Aledavood

Viktoriya Dashkevich

B.Arch.

Viktoriya received her Bachelor of Architecture (with Honours) from the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute in Uzbekistan. Viktoriya then worked extensively in the USSR as a Senior Architect and Project Manager prior to arriving in Canada in 2008. Viktoriya’s Canadian experience as an Architectural Technologist has included work on residential, commercial, industrial and healthcare projects.

Debra Deeks

B.A. Interior Design, B.A.A.

Debra Deeks has worked on numerous interiors for Strasman Architects Inc. since 1989. She has designed interiors for Western University and also has experience working with designated heritage buildings such as the Dominion Public Building at 457 Richmond Street in London and at One Front Street in Toronto. For all projects, Debra applies her Art History training and research experience to designs for historically sensitive spaces.